True BLUE Entrepreneur: Jack Cook ’24

In advance of our Connex event next Thursday, this week’s CEL feature highlights an SCH sophomore who is jumping into the dynamic NFT market with his CEL capstone project: “Caerulean NFT.” 

The vowel-packed title of Cook’s project gives a nod to CHA history which Cook learned about while researching with former history teacher and track coach Paul Hines H’03. While commonly referring to a shade of blue, it is also the name of the first known yearbook of Chestnut Hill Academy published in 1911. At the time, the editor—and class valedictorian—hand drew cartoon images representing each graduate for their page in the yearbook. Cook has created a collection of 576 digital pieces of animated art based on these quirky etchings, seemingly lizard-like, and turned them into NFT tokens.  Tune in next Thursday to learn more about this marketplace but until then, for those who need the acronym explained: Non-Fungible Tokens refer to proof of ownership of a one-of-a-kind digital asset—image, video, or audio recording—that can be sold (and resold). 

The number of individuals searching daily for NFTS has grown exponentially in the last year and Cook expects that alumni and other investors who are already in this arena will find his Caerulean collection highly attractive, especially with the understanding that every time a piece is bought from the initial sale or aftermarket, a 10% royalty fee will be paid to SCH. Cook shares, “I’m excited to release the first-ever Inter-Ac and SCH NFT philanthropic enterprise! Holders of the NFTs will be exclusively invited to events as well as the opportunity to receive vintage CHA clothing and accessories!”

More information will be released in the next couple of weeks via Caerulean’s social media (@caerulean_nft) and Discord account. Get your MetaMask wallets ready for the live auction of the first 24 pieces during CEL’s 10-year anniversary celebration on May 10th!

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Over the past 10 years, the Sands Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) has become one of the flagships of an SCH education. It is a program that is as substantial in its educational content as it is inspirational in its impact. In celebration of the CEL's 10th anniversary, we will be showcasing our CEL Venture Accelerator (VA) students throughout the year. Seeking out opportunity, devising creative solutions, working to effect positive change, more than two dozen VA students are currently hard at work with faculty mentors to bring their visions to life. We hope readers will enjoy learning about the people and the projects that are percolating in the VA right now.